Beach bag with American flag sitting in the sand

250 Beach Road Trip Ideas

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Beach Activities

Aerial view of Alabama Point Beach
family running on the beach in gulf shores
  1. Work on your suntan
  2. Eat a watermelon on the beach
  3. Look for ghost crabs at night
  4. Build a sandcastle
  5. Boogie board in the surf
  6. Bury dad in the sand
  7. Watch the sunrise over the water
  8. Challenge your beach neighbors to a game of cornhole
  9. Search for seashells
  10. Plant a flag in the sand for a patriotic selfie
  11. Fly a kite
  12. Get a surfing lesson
  13. Have a hermit crab race
  14. Check the daily beach safety flag
  15. Throw the football on the shore
  16. Read a beachy book
  17. Take family photos on the beach
  18. Leave your shoes at the boardwalk
  19. Watch the Blue Angels fly over the Gulf
  20. Take a long nap in your beach chair
  21. Watch seagulls fly by
  22. Lather up in sunscreen
  23. Pack a cooler full of beach snacks
  24. Wear matching swimsuits with your friends or family
  25. Eat boiled peanuts
  26. Smell the salty air
  27. Try beach yoga
  28. Play frisbee
  29. Stargaze on the beach
  30. Snap a sunset selfie
  31. Play beach volleyball
  32. Take a class with Sand Castle University
  33. Learn to skimboard
  34. Dig your toes in the sand
  35. Find the best sunset spots

Outdoor Adventures

couple walking along the boardwalk train in bon Secour national wildlife refuge in fort morgan
Person riding their bike in GSP
36. Hike along the trails in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
37. Explore the nine unique ecosystems in Gulf State Park
38. Visit Lefty the alligator
39. Go geocaching
40. Pick wildflowers in the park
41. Make a nature-inspired craft at the Gulf Coast Eco Center
42. Go for an early morning jog along the trails
43. Check out the local critters at the Nature Center
44. Bring your furry friends to the Dog Park
45. Have a waterfront picnic at Lake Shelby
46. Attend a summer camp
48. See how many birds you can spot along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail
49. Hang a hammock at Hidden Lake
50. Do a Segway tour in the park

 

 

Beach Eats

a plate of oysters at The Steamer gulf shores seafood restaurant
friends dining at beach house kitchen and cocktails seafood restaurant in gulf shores
50. Start your morning with breakfast at a local diner
51. Eat as many burgers as you can on the burger trail
52. Have a seafood boil at your vacation rental
53. Attend a foam party at The Hangout
54. Grill out for dinner
55. Order a fresh catch of the day
56. Count boats cruising by the Pass from The Gulf
57. Get a slice of pie for dessert
58. Try at least one raw oyster
59. Drink coffee on your condo balcony
60. Sample all the ice cream shops on the island
61. Peel royal red shrimp
62. Arrive by boat to one of the many waterfront restaurants
63. Sip bloody Mary's or mimosas at a beachfront brunch
64. Listen to live local music
65. Stock up your freezer with Bomb Pops
66. Play bingo or trivia at a local restaurant.
67. Get a frozen banana at Mythic Beach Banana Bar
68. Pick up fresh gulf catches at a seafood market
69. Get street corn at the Gulf State Park Pier
70. Sip a massive milkshake from The Yard
71. Eat a hotdog (or several)
72. Order a tall glass of sweet tea at Alabama Sweet Tea Co.
73. Take a picture with the marlin at Tacky Jacks Orange Beach
74. Create the ultimate soda at ShoreFizz
75. Pick up vacation snacks at Rouses or Publix
76. Order a plate of crab claws
77. Climb the Mountain of Youth at LuLu's
78. Cool off with a snoball
79. Savor finger-licking barbecue with Alabama white sauce at Moe's
80. Get a flight of local beer at Big Beach Brewing
81. Dine by the water and enjoy coastal breezes
82. End your day with a meal at a late-night dining spot

Must-Visit Attractions

go-karts zipping around the course at The Track Family Fun Park in Gulf Shores
two kids riding the Ferris Wheel at the wharf
84. Skydive onto the beach
85. Have a mini golf tournament
86. Ride the Soaring Eagle at the zoo
87. Get a hair wrap or henna tattoo at Island Girl
88. Get a bird's eye view of the beach with a helicopter tour
89. Ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf
90. Take a picture with the shark at Souvenir City
91. Visit the Lady of the Lake, Bamahenge, and the dinosaurs at Barber Marina
92. Ride the ferry across the bay
93. Paint a patriotic piece of pottery at The Clay Studio
94. Race go-karts at The Track
95. Steal your sunglasses back from lemurs during an animal encounter
96. Play giant Connect 4 at Portside at The Wharf
97. Race down the waterslides at Waterville
98. Go see a movie on a rainy day
99. Visit a local museum
100. Battle it out with a game of laser tag
101. Watch The Wharf's free laser light show
102. Play pickleball with friends
103. Ride the roller coaster at Tropic Falls
104. Feed the giraffes at the zoo
105. Get your game on at Fat Daddy's Arcade
american flag
movie
factory

Attractions

84. Skydive onto the beach
85. Have a mini golf tournament
86. Ride the Soaring Eagle at the zoo
87. Get a hair wrap or henna tattoo at Island Girl
88. Get a bird's eye view of the beach with a helicopter tour
89. Ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf
90. Take a picture with the shark at Souvenir City
91. Visit the Lady of the Lake, Bamahenge, and the dinosaurs at Barber Marina
92. Ride the ferry across the bay
93. Paint a patriotic piece of pottery at The Clay Studio
94. Race go-karts at The Track
95. Steal your sunglasses back from lemurs during an animal encounter
96. Play giant Connect 4 at Portside at The Wharf
97. Race down the waterslides at Waterville
98. Go see a movie on a rainy day
99. Visit a local museum
100. Battle it out with a game of laser tag
101. Watch The Wharf's free laser light show
102. Play pickleball with friends
103. Ride the roller coaster at Tropic Falls
104. Feed the giraffes at the zoo
105. Get your game on at Fat Daddy's Arcade